Gambian launches book on danger of illegal trip to EUROPE

Banjul, Gambia - A book, titled “Journey of Misery”, depicting the perilous journey undertaken by Gambians across the Atlantic Ocean to Spain, was launched in Banjul, local newspaper, The Voice, reported from Tuesday. The book, authored by Kalilu Jammeh, highlights the danger of using the back way to get to Europe and his account from experiences he gained during his efforts in search of the greener pasture through the same route. At the launch, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sheriff Gomez, said the book would give youths the opportunity to know about the dangers and suffering involved in such journeys. “It will also afford the authorities to put together resources and reach out to the youth in the drive to combat illegal migration in The Gambia,” he said, adding that “many a time the cause of illegal migration is lack of globalization, products of globalization, the imaging of global market demand and supply for labour and poverty.”He noted that social pressure from the family also pushed the youth into these journeys, as well as the influence of other friends, already in Europe.

However, he said the journey had resulted to the loss of lives and resources in the Gambia, considering the amount of money spent by youths to embark on such journeys.

Hassoum Ceesay, a historian at the National Council for Arts and Culture, described the book as a travelogue, noting that it was partly about the author’s experiences or diary in a long winding journey that took him from the Gambia to nearly other half dozen countries in West and North Africa before arriving in Europe.

“It is not the usual tourist travel guide of lonely planet, or the globe-trotting experiences of adventure seekers,” Ceesay said. 

The author, Mr. Jammeh, said his desire was to help the government in the struggle to enlighten the youth, who always planned to embark on illegal migration, which he said, was too dangerous for their lives.

Jammeh said he loves all Gambian people and wish to see “genuine joy” in every citizen, revealing that he has since formed an association, “Save The Gambian Orphans”, in collaboration with primary schools, which is aimed at educating the orphaned and also promoting agriculture.

Several Gambians have lost their lives on high seas and the coast of Libya and in deserts, in attempts to reach Europe due to economic challenges and disadvantage backgrounds.